KOCHVILLE TOWNSHIP, MI — The reinstatement of four Saginaw Valley State University football players who were suspended in connection with a possible hazing incident shows the school cares more about football than its students, the victim's family's attorney says.

SVSU head coach Jim Collins last week suspended the five players after a would-be freshman told police he was sexually assaulted in the team's locker room after he refused to partake in a team tradition. The student said numerous linemen surrounded him and that some of them were naked, rubbed against him and jumped into him.

Farmington Hills attorney Scott Rooney, who is representing the victim and his family, provided a brief response to the reinstatement.

“Clearly, the university cares more about football than the safety of its students,” Rooney said.

SVSU spokesman J.J. Boehm disagreed with Rooney's assessment.

"The health and welfare of
all our students is always of foremost concern," Boehm said. "The university's response from
the moment this incident was brought to our attention clearly demonstrates
that."

Rooney declined comment as to whether the family intends to file a lawsuit against the university.

"After hearing the student athletes' appeals and weighing all information available, we decided that the two-game suspensions were appropriate," Boehm said.

Boehm today that the five players still could face additional punishment under the school's Code of Conduct for students. Boehm said last week that university police had handed over their investigation to the Saginaw County Prosecutor's Office for review for possible criminal charges; he said Wednesday that “to SVSU’s knowledge, no charges have been filed.”

Snyder will be eligible for this Saturday's game at the Malone (Ohio) Pioneers. The other four, three of whom started all 11 games last year, will be eligible for the Sept. 15 home game against Findlay.